Caring for Aging Skin: Preventative Skin Care for Older Adults

Our skin is the main thing other people see and is the first thing that most people are concerned about displaying signs of aging.

As our skin ages, it becomes thinner, which can add to the appearance of wrinkles.

We lose fat, elasticity, and moisture.

Scratches and bumps often take longer to heal and are more visible.

Depending on the sun exposure we’ve subjected our skin to throughout our lives, we may see more ragged dryness, age spots, even cancer.

The routine that we might have used when we were younger is no longer applicable.

Common skin changes as we age

As we age, here are a few things we might notice about our skin. Most are normal and not usually cause for alarm:

Drier
Thinner and paper-like
Itchy
More age spots, wrinkles and creases
Blotchier
More easily irritated
More susceptible to skin infections
Bruises more easily
Sweats less
Heals more slowly

Some easy changes to make to your overall skin cleansing routine

Some easy changes to make to your overall skin cleansing routine include:

Switch from bar soap to a creamy, fragrance-free cleanser or emollient.
Use warm, not hot, water.
Change to a soft cloth rather than a brush or buff puff to clean skin.
Shorten bath or shower time to 10 minutes.
Pat rather than rub when toweling off – even leave a bit of water on the skin.
Apply a creamy, fragrance-free hydrolyzing moisturizer for dry skin to moist skin immediately after bathing (then reapply as needed throughout the day).

Skin-healthy choices to make for aging skin

Other skin-healthy choices to make for aging skin include:

Protect skin from the sun with a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
Choose fragrance-free skin care and laundry products.
Drink more water to stay hydrated.
Consider purchasing a humidifier to keep indoor humidity between 45% and 60%. Measure indoor humidity with a hydrometer that you can easily find at a local hardware or home improvement store.
See a dermatologist for skin cancer exams. After age 50, the risk of developing skin cancer and pre-cancerous growths increases.

Skin-healthy foods for aging skin

Here are some skin-healthy foods and how they can help:

Watercress – Internal antiseptic properties with high levels of vitamin A and C.
Red Bell Peppers – Good for collagen production; antioxidant properties that can protect skin from sun damage, pollution, and environmental toxins.
Papayas – Improve skin elasticity and shed dead skin cells.
Blueberries – Protect skin from damage due to sun, stress, and pollution.
Spinach – Hydrates and keeps skin firm and smooth.
Nuts (especially almonds) – Repair skin tissue, retain moisture, and protect from UV rays.
Avocados – Shed dead cells and protect from toxins and UV rays.
Sweet Potatoes – Restore skin elasticity and rejuvenate skin cells.

Sources

If you or your family member is considering in-home care as part of a plan to age in place, contact Family Matters In-Home Care today for a free consultation. Our team is dedicated to supporting your family and helping older adults enjoy life in the comfort of their own home for as long as possible.

Some of the services offered by Family Matter In-Home Care include: Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care, Bed & Wheelchair Transfer Assistance, Companionship, Housekeeping & Meal Preparation, Personal Care, Recovery Care, and Transportation.

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater San Diego, Family Matter In-Home Care has offices throughout California including: Campbell, CA, Roseville, CA, San Marcos, CA, and San Mateo, CA.

Carol Pardue-Spears

Carol has worked in the healthcare field for more than forty years. As a Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked for El Camino Hospital in the cardiac unit, Los Gatos Community Hospital, The Women’s Cancer Center in Los Gatos and several home health and hospice agencies. Carol founded Family Matters in 2002 to fill a deficit she witnessed in high-quality, in-home services and care.